Appointment of a Head of Department

SUMMARY

The Appointment of a Head of Department Policy provides a framework for the selection and appointment of a Head of Department and an acting Head of Department. The Procedure outlines the responsibilities of key University stakeholders throughout the stages of advertising, suitability assessment and appointment.

POLICY

Purpose

To provide a framework for the selection and appointment of a Head of Department and an acting Head of Department.

Overview

The University is committed to selecting and appointing Heads of Department in a consistent manner. The appointments will be based on merit to ensure the highest quality candidates are appointed to leadership roles.

The Head of Department is responsible to the Executive Dean for the management, leadership, development and advancement of the Department and its staff within the Faculty framework established by the University. The primary role of the Head of Department is to provide academic leadership to the department and faculty, ensure that appropriate resources are provided for teaching, research and community engagement and that these resources are managed effectively.

Scope

This policy applies to all staff involved in the selection and appointment of a Head of Department.

Policy

ELIGIBILITY A person appointed as a Head of Department will normally be an Associate Professor or above.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION Positions will be advertised both internally (and externally if required) in accordance with the University’s Recruitment, Selection and Appointment Policy.

The successful applicant will be chosen on the basis of merit. Appointment will be in accordance with the letter of offer from Human Resources.

A Head of Department will receive a Head of Department allowance, as per the Enterprise Agreement.

A Head of Department concluding a fixed-term contract who was appointed through a competitive selection process may be reappointed by the Executive Dean following a review of his or her performance in the role. There is no limit on the number of times a staff member may apply to be reappointed.

DURATION OF APPOINTMENT Externally advertised, competitive selection appointments may be continuing or fixed-term. Internally advertised appointments will normally be three years, but may be for a period of up to five years.

APPOINTMENT OF AN ACTING HEAD OF DEPARTMENT The Executive Dean may appoint an acting Head of Department.

For acting appointments of three months or less, the appointee will be entitled to teaching relief in accordance with the academic workload model.

For acting appointments in excess of three months a Head of Department will be entitled to an allowance, as per the Macquarie Enterprise Agreement.

Policy Information

Contact Officer

Manager, Employee Relations, Human Resources

Date Approved

29 February 2012

Approval Authority

Director, Human Resources

Date of Commencement

29 February 2012

Amendment History

7 December 2017 – References to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Provost) replaced with Executive Dean.July 2013 - restructured framework order January 2012 – changed period of appointment from three years to up to five years, added requirement for competitive selection process for re-appointments

PROCEDURE

To outline the procedure for the appointment of Heads of Department and Acting Heads of Department for academic staff.

Procedure

This procedure requires actions by the following:

Executive Dean

Human Resources Officer

Selection Panel

Executive Dean

APPOINTMENT – HEAD OF DEPARTMENT Advertise Advertise the position internally (and externally if required) in accordance with the Recruitment, Selection and Appointment Policy.

Convene a selection panel with the following composition:

Executive Dean

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

At least one senior academic member of staff.

Selection Panel

Determine Suitability If there is only one candidate, determine if that candidate is suitable.

If there is more than one candidate, determine if any of the candidates are appointable. List them in order with the preferred candidate first, then the next preferred candidate and so on until all appointable candidates have been listed.

Select the first appointable candidate, and communicate the outcome to Human Resources.

If no candidate is suitable, request the Executive Dean appoint an acting Head of Department.

Readvertise the position, where necessary.

Communicate the outcome to all candidates, once the appointment process is complete.

Human Resources Officer

Manage Process Facilitate the advertisement of Head of Department vacancies.

Prepare formal offers of appointment.

Where the successful applicant is currently a staff member of the University, advise them that their appointment may be subject to the outcome of any appeal by an unsuccessful internal applicant in accordance with the Macquarie University Enterprise Agreement.

Process the Head of Department allowance for the successful applicant or for an acting Head of Department, as per the Enterprise Agreement.

Executive Dean

APPOINTMENT - ACTING HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
When selecting an acting Head of Department, give consideration to:

operational requirements and the efficiency of the workplace

staff merit.

Appoint an acting Head of Department in consultation with the Executive Dean and advise Human Resources of the duration of the acting appointment.

Where a Head of Department has been appointed through a competitive selection process, approve a re-appointment as required.

Procedure Information

Contact Officer

Manager, Employee Relations

Date Approved

29 February 2012

Approval Authority

Director, Human Resources

Date of Commencement

29 February 2012

Amendment History

9 October 2018 – Minor amendment to position title for Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) – removing ‘and Registrar’ from title under section on selection panel composition.